Milos Maricic, an international affairs expert and World Economic Forum contributor, concurred that while China owns close to $150 billion in U.S. companies not particularly huge in comparison to the U.S. economy there is a lot about the available figure that we simply do not know. Continuing a trend that began early in 2021, China's portfolio of U.S. government debt in May dropped to $980.8 billion, according to Treasury Department data released Monday. As a major function of its monetary policy, China's central bank, the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC), actively works to prevent this imbalance between the U.S. dollar and renminbi in local markets. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Its a massive undertaking to verify who really owns [the land], Maxwell said. Representative Grace Meng expressed concern that the amendment could fuel already rising anti-Asian hate, and the USDA and advocacy groups have pointed out that the USDA does not have the authority to intervene in private land deals. "GDP Growth (Annual %) - Japan, China.". According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. has been suffering from a significant trade deficit with China since 1985, meaning that the U.S. buys more goods and services from China than China buys from the U.S. Chinese exporters receive U.S. dollars for their goods sold to the U.S. to incorporate the statistic into your presentation at any time. All rights reserved. While Japans 4.8% ownership of the U.S. debt is only slightly less than Chinas 5.3%, the Japanese-owned debt is rarely depicted in a negative light, as is Chinas. Douglas R. Bush, Deterring a Cross-Strait Conflict: Beijing's Assessment of Evolving U.S. Strategy, Rethinking Humanitarian Aid: A Conversation with Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA, Foreign Purchases of U.S. Many large corporations, pension funds, and wealthy individuals are investing in agricultural land in the United States and abroad. Although Congress has become increasingly concerned about Chinese land purchases, investors from China currently own only a small fraction of this land, at 191,652 acres (0.05 percent of the total). Six states forbid any foreign landholdings, and some, like Missouri, put caps on how much land can be held by foreign entities. Cena's apology made him a darling to Chinese nationalists and a punching bag for U.S. media. United States Treasury Fiscal Data. U.S. direct investments in China 2000-2021 | Statista In addition to federal action, some states, like Arizona, could do more to protect their local resources and communities from exploitation by domestic and foreign entities. Because of varying maturities dates, China would be unable to call in all its Treasury holdings at once. That's a large portion of the $7.6 trillion in Treasury bills, notes, and bonds held by foreign countries. This acquisition put two Chinese directors on Hilton's Board of 10. First, because U.S. securities like Treasury bills come with varying maturity dates, it would be impossible for the Chinese to call them all in at the same time. Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 24 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Focusing narrowly on land purchases by Chinese companies or other foreign entities will not address the full scope of this problem. However, the full extent of the Chinese investment as it stands in the U.S. today is far from transparent. Consider what the current arrangement means: The Chinese buy up dollar bills in the form of Treasurys. Her modest, two-story white farmhouse has . While a large portion of Smithfield pork was already being exported to China prior to the acquisition, the Covid-19 crisis raised concerns about Chinese control of U.S. food supply chains. China "Owns" Us: How the Chinese Are Buying Up America Two bills introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate argue foreign influence on American agricultural land could affect Americas economy, food supply, and national security. Before June 2010, Treasury reports showed that China held about $843 billion in debt. Japanese-owned debt doesn't receive nearly as much negative attention as Chinese-owned debt, ostensibly because Japan is seen as a friendlier nation and the Japanese economy hasn't grown as fast as China's year after year. The Global Food Security Program would also like to thank Aliza Lauter for her research contributions to this publication. A government bond is issued by a government at the federal, state, or local level to raise debt capital. This statistic is not included in your account. The rest of the $29 trillion national debt is owned by either people in the U.S. or by the U.S. government itself. Texas has the largest amount of foreign-held agricultural land, at 4.4 million acres, followed by Maine and Alabama, according to USDA. China owns roughly $1.08 trillion worth of U.S. debt. The greatest share is in Texas, with over 4.4 million acres, followed by Maine (3.3 million acres) and Alabama (1.8 million acres). That changed with the USMCA. The American Security Institute recently released a report and launched a campaign, featuring a billboard in Times Square, to draw further attention to the extensive array of sectors the Chinese government and its partners have invested into. Currently, you are using a shared account. Longley, Robert. The vast majority of this land is farmland, but the Chinese government and investors also own other kinds of real estate. "China's Gold Market: Progress and Prospects," Page 2. What is the highest credit limit for Chase Sapphire? Chinese billionaire and businessman Wang. However, the concept of foreign debt carries a negative connotation, especially when it concerns large amounts owed to nations embroiled in controversy. Here's a quick and fascinating breakdown by total. This Treasury-led change makes it difficult to make long-term comparisons. "Major Foreign Holders of Treasury Securities.". Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. What is the best way to liquidate stocks? Chinas demand for Treasurys helps keep U.S. interest rates low. Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land doubled from 2009 to 2019, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) records, and policymakers have become increasingly concerned about foreign control of the U.S. food supply. Furthermore, policymakers have signaled no efforts to improve state- or national-level information on foreign purchases of U.S. farmland, leaving the true picture obscured. For example, in water-scarce regions like the Southwest, outside use of freshwater resources can affect water availability for local farms and communities. The Biggest American Companies Now Owned by the Chinese - Yahoo! How Much U.S. Debt Does China Own? - Investopedia The deal meant that WH Group now owns the largest pork producer in the United States as well as over 146,000 acres of Missouri farmland. Smithfield is vertically integrated and owns all aspects of its supply chain, meaning that WH Group now controls a significant portion of U.S. pork production and revenue in addition to farmland. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-much-debt-does-china-own-3321769 (accessed March 4, 2023). Why China Buys U.S. Debt With Treasury Bonds - Investopedia The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Foreign Purchases of U.S. Agricultural Land: Facts, Figures, and an The committee unexpectedly adopted Newhouses amendment to the Agriculture-FDA spending bill (H.R. That's a decline of. The Chinese yuan, like the currencies of many nations, is tied to the U.S. dollar. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. See Media Page for more interview, contact, and citation details. And Human Rights Watch has written that China is an'existential threat' to human rights." Is Americas Debt to China Really So Bad? In 2017, the United States imported $4.6 billion in agricultural goods from China, which is also responsible for much of the global supply of soy and pea proteins that are found in nutritional supplements and synthetic meats. Although Walmart does own an impressive number of brands both in the US and beyond, the company does not own Lowes. "The Chinese have a strong foothold here in the U.S., and Chinese firms have access to what seems like infinite government lending, and because the country's goal of world dominance is ingrained into the minds of their business leaders," explained Paul Murad, president of Nevada-based real estate firm Metroplex. We are new in this process, said Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.), chair of the agriculture appropriations subcommittee. China needs this growth to raise its low standard of living. And if you measure it by gross domestic product (GDP) and consider purchasing power parity (PPP), China is seen as the worlds largest economy. These foreign interests are pretty smart. Instead, Dollar Tree is a self-owned company that itself has acquired numerous national and regional competitors over the years, including Family Dollar and Dollar Bill$. The FARMForeign Adversary Risk Managementact, introduced in the House of Representatives and the Senate on January 25, would trigger a Department of Agriculture and Government Accountability Office investigation into foreign influence on Americas agriculture industry. Foreign debt provides the opportunity for countries to secure the financing they ordinarily wouldn't have access to and to stimulate their economy. "Under China's Communist Party dictatorship, private companies are forced to bend to the government's will," the report states. The company was founded in Smithfield, Virginia, in 1936 and was acquired by Hong Kong-based WH Group in 2013. Are you interested in testing our business solutions? China is the second-largest holder of the debt, even after it reduced its holdings, which it has been doing since 2011. Six states Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota and Oklahoma currently ban foreign ownership of farmland. In 2011, the total U.S. debt stood at $14.3 trillion. US PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AIMS TO WREST SOME DRUG PRODUCTION BACK FROM CHINA. Who owns America? Hint: It's not China - CNN What US companies are now owned by China? How much of Chinese industry is state-owned? Newt says China will 'dominate world' if tech theft isn't stopped, 'it's a matter of life and death', share data with Chinese communist spy agencies. The best of the best: the portal for top lists & rankings: Strategy and business building for the data-driven economy: Industry-specific and extensively researched technical data (partially from exclusive partnerships). At the same time, it relies on the private commercial housing market to meet the needs of higher-income groups. Total number of residential properties bought by Chinese buyers in the U.S. 2010-21. A few states, including top agricultural centers like Iowa and Minnesota, already have varying restrictions on foreign ownership of their farmland. While around 3.2% of the national debt isn't exactly insignificant, the Treasury Department has had no problems finding buyers for its products even after a rating downgrade. Foreign Ownership and Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land In the wake of Covid-19 supply chain disruptions and escalating tensions with China, U.S. lawmakers have specifically increased scrutiny of purchases by Chinese investors. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites. The real question is: How much of the totalU.S. debtdoes the U.S.federal governmentowe to Chinese lenders? It is not only foreign companies who take advantage of this regulatory loophole, howevercompanies from other states and cities around the United States are also buying up land in Arizona to take advantage of the states loose water regulations, putting Arizonas long-term water resources at risk. Congressional Research Service. The Communist Party has actively supported investments in foreign agriculture as part of its One Belt One Road economic development plans, aiming to control a greater piece of Chinas food supply chain. By artificially keeping the value of the yuan down, the government reduces the buying power of the Chinese middle class, thus making the sale of exports vital keeping the countrys economy moving. Walmart owns no shares. US President Joe Biden, King of Jordan II, for the "historic meeting" between Palestinians and Israelis in Aqaba. Since 2016, a company owned by Xinjiang-based real estate tycoon Sun Guangxin had spent an estimated $110 million buying up land in Texas' Val Verde County. Well, really, the hallmark has been an almost otherworldly disconnection from the actual affairs of the United States. Get full access to all features within our Business Solutions. China does not publish the. "We July 18, 2022. That would hurt China's competitiveness by raising the yuans value relative to the dollar. China Daily, which is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party, has paid more than $4.6 million to The Washington Post and . Access to this and all other statistics on 80,000 topics from, Show sources information Indeed, there has been a tenfold expansion of Chinese ownership of farmland in the United States in less than a decade. Most countries want their currency values to fall so they can win global currency wars. On Friday, Starwood Hotels agreed to be acquired by Anbang, a Chinese insurance company that is rapidly buying up U.S. hotels, for over $13 billion . Many Americans find the brand appealing because it has a "Made in America" stamp on its products, however, the company has been owned by Chinese company Haier since 2016. RT @lillybug000: How much more does any American have to see to realize our government is owned by China. ", The World Bank. For example, critics say that should the Chinese government suddenly call indemand immediate repaymentof all of the U.S. governments obligations, the American economy would be hopelessly crippled. The US National Debt and How It Affects You. Learn more about how Statista can support your business. This includes everyone from retirees who purchase individual U.S. Treasurys to the Chinese government. Center for Strategic and International Studies Across the country, the 2013 purchase of Smithfield Foods by the Chinese firm Shuanghui, now called WH Group, received national attention and escalated concerns about Chinese intervention in U.S. food systems. Concern about Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural land increased in late January when the China-based Fufeng Group Ltd. was prevented from building a cornmill on land close to a North Dakota Air Force base after officials called it a security risk. WH Groups shareholders include many large U.S.-based financial institutions.". Whether you're an American retiree or a Chinese bank, American debt is considered a sound investment. Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary. Securities. Since this strategy is dependent on exportsover $ 452.58 billion of which went to the U.S. in 2020China needs ever-more renminbi to continue to have a lower currency exchange rate than the U.S. dollar, and thus offer cheaper prices for the products it exports. In late May, the Senate unanimously passed the bipartisan Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act in a bid to force foreign companies with China at the likely forefront to adhere to U.S. securities law, and compel some to be removed from American stock exchanges. According to the NYFC, young and aspiring farmers say access to land is their largest barrier to starting a successful farm business. Congress can then increase the federal spending that spurs U.S. economic growth. Smithfield was also in line to receive money from the program, which was created to help U.S. farmers strung by trade retaliation from China and other competitors. It has opened yuan trading centers in London and Frankfurt. But, exactly how much does the nation own? Chinese lenders snap up so much of the U.S. debt for one basic economic reason: protecting its dollar-pegged yuan. China, which owns an estimated $972 billion in U.S. Treasuries, is the number-two investor among foreign governments, according to the August 2022 figures released by the U.S. Treasury. As economists point out, other creditors are likely to get in line to buy up Chinas share of the debt, including the Federal Reserve, already the owner of twice as much of the U.S. debt than China has ever owned. "GDP growth (Annual %) - China. Pressing Challenges to U.S. Army Acquisition: A Conversation with Hon. Understanding the actual extent and impact of Americas debt to China requires a closer look at these massive amounts of money.